Concerns around a visible increase in “rough sleepers” in the Drogheda area were raised at the monthly meeting of the Borough District Council.

Cllr. Paddy McQuillan told the meeting that he noticed “a lot more homeless people, who are sleeping in tents” and asked if Louth County Council were engaging with these people.”

He said there were a number of locations where this was happening, and queried what steps the local authority is taking in relation to this increase.

Councillor McQuillan joined us on The Agenda this morning to tell us more about this.

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The Children’s Ombudsman is expressing shock that a child who was known to Tusla could have disappeared four years ago.

The young boy is now feared dead.

Niall Muldoon says he’s extremely concerned that the only response from the Government and Tusla so far to the case has been to refer it to the National Review Panel.

A search is expected to continue today and into the weekend for the remains of the missing child at a field off the Portrane Road in north county Dublin.

Aontu leader and Meath-West TD Peadar Toibin joined us this morning on The Agenda and said that it s hard to see why checks weren’t carried out.

Deputy Toibin also voiced his concerns regarding Tusla and how the whole system is managed in Ireland.

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A priest has made an emotional appeal for information as the search continues for a missing child who is feared dead.

As we have been hearing this week, Gardaí are investigating the disappearance and whereabouts of the boy, who would be seven years old if still alive 

The child last lived in an apartment in Donabate, Dublin.

A search of open ground began in Donabate this week after concerns for the boy were raised by Tusla last Friday. Tusla said it had engaged with the missing child’s family five years ago.

Fr. Augustine Fokchet, Parish curate at St. Patrick’s Church, Donabate, spoke to us this morning on The Agenda and made a heartfelt appeal to anyone with information to come forward.

We also spoke to Security and Crime Editor at the Irish Times, Conor Lally, to get all the latest on what is going on with this harrowing case.

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SIPTU is seeking clarity from the Football Association of Ireland over plans to cut up to a third of its workforce.

Its members are meeting today to discuss the issue, and the union is criticising the FAI for failing to engage with staff representatives.

It's also warning there could be industrial action.

Adrain Kane, SIPTU's divisional organiser says everyone affected remains in the dark, and Adrian spoke to us this morning on The Agenda about this.

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Ireland is at a “tipping point” on how it responds to issues around citizenship and national identity, the Taoiseach has warned.

Micheál Martin’s comments come after Dublin City Council said it wanted to meet gardai over concerns about the erection of Irish tricolour flags in public spaces across the city, following concerns raised by some residents.

The flags have been erected by various groups as an expression of pride in national identity but have been criticised by others who believe the tricolour is being used to intimidate people of a migrant background.

We were joined on The Agenda this morning by the CEO of the Immigrant Council of Ireland, Teresa Buczkowzka, who told us about just how bad it is in Ireland for immigrants and about what can be done to alleviate the situation.

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Bins are going unemptied, soap is not being refilled, and toilet rolls and hand towels are not being restocked at a national school in Meath, as the national strike by school caretakers and secretaries continues.

In a letter to parents, O’Growney National School in Athboy said children must now bring their own soap, paper towels, toilet rolls, and a plastic bag to take used towels home each day.

Food wrappers are also being sent home to reduce pressure on uncollected bins.

The school said it regretted that “this situation is occurring” but confirmed it stood “in solidarity” with its colleagues who are among the striking staff.

This morning on The Agenda we heard more about this.

We also spoke to Marie Brady, who is the school secretary at  The Vale NS  in Bailieborough, where they are holding a picket today from 2pm to 3pm.

Secretaries from all across Meath are due to attend to strike.

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A motion by an Independent councillor to remove Coca-Cola products from Meath County Council premises was rejected at the council’s September meeting.

Navan councillor Alan Lawes proposed that the council boycott the soft drinks company “because of the genocide in Palestine.” He called for the suspension of standing orders so the motion could be debated as an emergency item. Suspending standing orders requires the agreement of members.

This morning on The Agenda we spoke to Councillor Lawes to find out more about this.

We were also joined by Fine Gael Councillor Gerry O’Connor, who opposed the suspension.

Things got heated on air during the debate. 

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We're being warned weight-loss medications being sold online simply don't work.

It has emerged that 400 thousand illegal medicines have been seized in just the first 6 months of this year.

While meds like steroids, sedatives and drugs for erectile dysfunction top the list of seizures, large numbers of ozempic-like patches and ampules are being caught.

Obesity lead with the HSE Dr. Donal O'Shea says the drugs being offered online don't even exist, and Dr O’Shea joined us on The Agenda this morning to tell us more about this.

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The Irish Hairdressers Federation has launched its pre-budget campaign calling for the urgent reinstatement of the 9% VAT rate…. warning that spiralling costs are driving hair, beauty and barber businesses to the wall.

The Federation said that the government has failed to grapple with soaring business costs. These include energy, insurance, labour, and materials, leaving small salon-based businesses struggling to keep their doors open.

The Irish Hairdressers Federation is the representative body for Irish salon owners, representing over 500 salon owners nationwide, with a total of 30,000 people employed.

We were joined on The Agenda this morning by Lisa Eccles, President of the Irish hairdressers Federation, who spoke to us some more about this

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Meath East Sinn Fein TD Darren O’Rourke TD has today written to the Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Education and Youth requesting an urgent meeting to question Ministers on the ongoing strike by school secretaries and caretakers.

The Sinn Féin spokesperson on Education stated that the impact of the strike, now almost one week old, is severely disrupting the smooth running of schools across the state.

Deputy O'Rourke joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

We were also joined by school caretaker David Hearne, who was live from the picket and told us he will be staying on the picket until the dispute is resolved.

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